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According to statistical analysis of the Depot Lists and Embarkation Lists of recruits going to India by FIBIS Chairman, Peter Bailey, six percent of soldiers were consistently recruited as married. One of his ancestors joined the EIC Army at nearly the same time that his daughter was born and was sent to India several weeks later with his wife and new-born baby c mid 1820s. Although the East India Company provided a passage back to Britain for soldiers at the expiration of their term of service it appears that very few elected to return.<ref> Email from Peter Bailey to [[User:Maureene|Maureen Evers]] dated 10 April 2014 </ref> Samuel Hickson, who was in India 1777-1785, lists the reasons for this in his Diary as disease, the good provisions made by the Company relating to age and incapacity, the bounty paid on renewal of service and family ties.<ref> Calcutta Historical Society ''Bengal Past and Present, Volume 49, Part 1'' "Diary of Samuel Hickson 1777-1785" pages 28-30. Published 1935.</ref>

The army took responsibility for many civil and social activities in the country, particularly in the vicinity of the cantonments. These responsibilities were undertaken by Warrant Officers generally acting through Sergeants of differing titles. These were positions of significant importance and standing and the chance to attain them was one of the attractions of joining the Company's army rather than the King's/Queen's army. <ref> Bailey, Peter [http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/india/2000-04/0954667043 "Bazaar Sergeant."], ''Rootsweb India Mailing List'', 2 Apr 2000. Retrieved on 14 April 2014.</ref> Many NCOs were able to take on other work and attract an extra income. By doing so, they could frequently buy themselves out of their units, could earn more money and qualify for a pension much sooner. <ref>Fuller, Tony. [http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/india/1998-12/0913448812 "Prisons"], ''Rootsweb India Mailing List'', 12 Dec 1998. Retrieved on 14 April 2014.</ref>